Labour turns on Sir Keir over his visit to a 'homophobic' church

Starmer attacked by his own party over his visit to a ‘homophobic’ church in Manchester that opposes gay rights

• A spokesman for Sir Keir insisted the Labour party was an ‘ally’ of the community
• The Manchester church is part of a denomination that opposes gay rights

Sir Keir Starmer faced a backlash from his own party after visiting a second church with homophobia links.

The Labour leader was criticised by campaigners after posting a video of a visit to the Audacious Church over Easter.

The Manchester church is part of a denomination of the Assemblies of God who oppose gay rights. 

The video featured Pastor Glyn Barrett, UK leader of the assemblies and contributor to the Hillsong megachurch which has been criticised for attitudes on homosexuality.

Audacious belongs to the Evangelical Alliance, which has opposed plans to ban conversion therapy – a process, often by religious organisations, to change a person’s sexual orientation or suppress gender identity.

The Labour leader was criticised by campaigners after posting a video of a visit to the Audacious Church over Easter

The Manchester church is part of a denomination of the Assemblies of God who oppose gay rights

The LGBT+ division of Labour said: ‘Political platforms should never be used to further exclude those already marginalised.’ 

But a spokesman for Sir Keir insisted Labour was an ‘ally’ of the community.

Two years ago, Sir Keir apologised for visiting a church criticised for attitudes towards homosexuality. A chairman at Audacious said the charity provides ‘support to people in need’ regardless of sexuality.

Pastor Barrett did not respond to a request for comment.

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